5 big mistakes WWE made on Night One of the 2024 Draft: Big names stay put, no trade talk & more
For all the talk of how the 2024 WWE Draft would change everything in the company, Night One of the event came and went without much fanfare.
Some names switched brands like Bron Breakker going to RAW and Andrade moving to SmackDown. For the most part, however, there was a lack of any earth-shattering moves.
The 2024 WWE Draft had some interesting moments. The event also created several confusing situations, leading to WWE making the following five mistakes on SmackDown.
#5. RAW's choice from NXT
This isn't to say that picking Kiana James in the fourth round of the draft was a mistake. The issue is that there were only 16 selections on Night One of the event. Carmelo Hayes was picked second overall by SmackDown. He's a former two-time NXT Champion, so it made some sense.
Kiana James has been in WWE NXT for a few years but has never won the women's title. She has impressed in her two years but could have grown her profile by winning the women's title. Where does this leave her tag team partner, Izzi Dame?
However, with a limited selection for Night One, a star like Lyra Valkyria or Blair Davenport would have made more sense. They are long-time veterans of the sport. Valkyria is a former NXT Women's Champ and appeared on WWE RAW a few times. James could have been chosen on RAW when more picks were available.
#4. No mention of trades
One disappointing rule for the 2024 Draft was that the champions of each brand are protected and thus cannot be selected. In the past, champions switching shows was one of the most noteworthy moments.
Since no titleholders switched to RAW or SmackDown, it opened up the possibility for trades. Nick Aldis didn't mention anything about trades but instead booked several matches for Backlash: France.
Part of the issue was booking an event so close to the Draft. If champions are protected, then the potential for trades should have at least been mentioned.
#3. Many popular faces crowd the same brand
When all the picks were made, SmackDown's roster didn't look much different from the past year. AJ Styles, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and LA Knight were four of its top stars.
After Cody Rhodes won the Undisputed WWE Championship, his name was added to the SmackDown roster. In that way, the brand gained another top star that could have been drafted. Jey Uso and Seth Rollins also stayed on RAW.
Having all of those top faces on SmackDown likely means that one or two will turn heel. Knight is yet to taste the ultimate success as a face, so he should remain a good guy. Orton has changed so much that when he does so again, it barely registers.
#2. SmackDown's predictability with NXT addition
One of the areas where WWE could have really surprised fans was with the additions from NXT.
While Carmelo Hayes is ready for the main roster, the only surprise was that he was picked in the first round ahead of three former WWE Champions (Styles, Orton, Rollins).
The fact that SmackDown picked him also wasn't surprising because he had already been wrestling on Friday nights. Had he been chosen in the second round by RAW, it would have been more of a shock.
#1. No major movement of big WWE names
WWE kept mentioning that the landscape of all three of its brands was set to change in the 2024 Draft. While some stars switched brands, like Nia Jax and Andrade, nothing monumental happened.
This could have happened with Seth Rollins moving to SmackDown, but his wife, Women's World Champion Becky Lynch, is tied to RAW. LA Knight could have moved to RAW to challenge and potentially win the World Heavyweight Title.
Instead, The Visionary remained on RAW while Styles, Orton, and Knight all stayed on SmackDown. For all of the hype of 'big changes,' Night One of the 2024 WWE Draft did not deliver many big changes. Even Bianca Belair remained on the blue brand where she has exhausted her rivalry with Bayley.